President's Statement on the House Passing the Worker Reemployment Accouts Act
Rome, Italy

I commend the House for passing the Worker Reemployment Accounts Act,
which establishes a pilot program for Personal Reemployment Accounts.

Personal Reemployment Accounts are an important reform in federal
job training, because workers decide how to use the funds to maximize
their likelihood of securing a job. A Personal Reemployment Account
gives unemployed Americans additional choices and flexibility to help
them return to work more quickly. They can use funds from their
account to pay for what they need most to help find a job - special
training, child care, transportation, relocation assistance, or a
combination of these. Finally, there is a reemployment bonus that lets
workers who return to work quickly keep any leftover funds from their
account.

These innovative accounts that I proposed last year put
decision-making and resources directly in the hands of individuals who
need the most help getting back to work. I urge the Senate to pass
this important legislation so that we can help every American who wants
to work find a job.